Jaya, Chidambaram wordy duel on tsunami relief continues

Chennai, Apr 30 (UNI) The war of words between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram over Central assistance for tsunami relief and flood relief, continued today with the AIADMK Supremo asking the Union Minister to ''measure his words before throwing empty challenges''.

Joining the issue with Mr Chidambaram over inadequate Central assistance for tsunami relief, rehabilitation and flood relief works, Ms Jayalalithaa in a statement here, criticised him for indulging in ''verbal gymnastics'' and an empty challenge to a debate on the issue.

Accusing him of hiding the facts about the inadequate Central relief during tsunami and flood disasters, she said the bulk of the Central assistance provided for tsunami relief were mainly loans from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

''The Central assistance given to the State for flood relief was actually reduced from Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 808.35 crore under Mr Chidambaram's supervision. Now, he is resorting to empty rhetoric when the facts are staring him in the face'', she charged.

He had better learn to call a spade a spade and accept the truth without trying to indulge in fanciful dissimulation, she said.

Stating that her remarks were absolutely irrefutable, she said Mr Chidambaram had not been able to meet any of the points riased by her. ''It is because of his inability to face the truth that he is trying to indulge in an empty challenge of calling for a debate. The facts are crystal clear and Mr Chidambaram will have to run for cover'', she claimed.

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